For high school Seniors all around the United States, the pressure is mounting. The upcoming months will be jam-packed with college visits, applications, and scholarship searches. What is done in this crucial time can ultimately determine life for the next four years.I never actually thought attempting to become the next Anderson Cooper would be easy; I just didn’t think about all the complicated paperwork and application fees it would take to actually get into the school of my dreams to jump-start my potential career.The procedures might be especially startling for the first generation Filipinos in America.This is obviously the first time I have ever been subjected to such hard-hitting questions as “Who are you?” that can potentially make or break all the achievements stated in the application. Essay questions can be so generic that they open the window for so many different interpretations and directions. That being said, it may be overwhelming to keep it under the “insert-appropriate-number-here” word limit the college of choice allows.

As I’ve found on this whirlwind journey, the earlier, the better. Timing is everything. Applying now versus the last week of December can determine the amount of financial aid you will receive. Also, several colleges, both in-state or out-of-state, automatically consider students who apply before a certain deadline for some of the most prestigious and sought-after scholarships offered.The applications, which are predominantly “green” as they are now offered online, may be the least of some student’s problems.For example, many teenagers fall into the trap of becoming discouraged because they have no clue what they want to do in the future. It’s important to remember that even over as little as a summer, interests and passions can be found and lost. That occurs after high school graduation, as well, and can be supported by the tremendous number of college students who change majors several times.
Another challenging task is narrowing and ultimately selecting which college to attend. If a student knows exactly where they want to go and have known so since diapers, congratulations to them. It is a tough decision which requires dissecting many different factors, ranging from cost to campus size. And with many Filipinos, distance can also be a major issue.It’s hard to be away from close-knit families. Therefore, it’s difficult to be away at school where mom and dad can’t physically come and visit everyday. Personally, in selecting my top 4 schools, I looked at the mileage long and hard and calculated whether or not I would be comfortable being away for that long of a time.If that weren’t enough, after being inundated with letters from all over the world pleading for a quick glance and a sign of interest, you realize just how many schools there are in the “real world.”For example, I never thought I would receive a letter from Switzerland. But these letters somehow always manage to find their way into your mailbox. Not to mention the dozens and dozens of colleges you have never heard of in your life. What gives? How do I know if that school is right for me?Thankfully, I was able to visit a couple of my top schools in person over the summer.
If the stars align and you are able to physically see the campus for yourself, that would be just another way to determine which school catches your eye.Not visiting a college before committing to it seems similar to marrying someone you had only seen Facebook pictures of. Even though you may be aware of where they’re coming from and their political stance, it would probably be a smart idea to meet them first.It goes the same for colleges – check it out in person if at all possible. I was definitely captivated by the two campuses I visited and was able to even experience one of them while school was in session. There, you get a glimpse of what life is like after dark, see the hangouts, and can see hard-working college students in action.Though college may seem like the beginning of adulthood and independence, it is actually the beginning of accepting that even adults still have a lot to learn. It’s a period to connect with others, express yourself, and be able to change the world more than ever.After inching through the standard operating procedure of filling out form after form of common information, it may seem like graduation day will never come. But before you know it, it will.
And when that day comes, it’ll be comforting to know that you’re ready for the challenges and memorable times coming your way.Best of luck.